Authorities said Mr. Jones, also known as Willie Jackson, suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest during an argument over a woman in the basement of a building at 25 Charlton St.Mr. Rodriguez had been scheduled to go to trial Jan. 14, but the trial was put off after his lawyer, John J. Roemer, raised the issue of his client's competency.

Expert witnesses for the prosecution and defense testified at a two-day competency hearing presided over by Judge Kenton-Walker last week. The two psychologists both evaluated Mr. Rodriguez to determine whether he was competent to stand trial.

Hayden A. Duggan, a designated forensic psychologist called to the stand by Assistant District Attorney Brett F. Dillon, offered the opinion that Mr. Rodriguez possessed the abilities normally associated with competency.

While acknowledging that test results from Bridgewater State Hospital placed Mr. Rodriguez in the “extremely low” range in intelligence, Mr. Duggan said it was his belief the suspect was able to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding and had a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings against him.

His opinion conflicted with that of Paul A. Spiers, a forensic neuropsychologist who was called as a witness by Mr. Roemer.

The defense expert said Mr. Rodriguez, who suffers from liver cancer and has a history of alcohol and substance abuse, had medical and cognitive deficiencies that rendered him mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Mr. Spiers said Mr. Rodriguez was “essentially homeless” and abusing alcohol and cocaine before his arrest and had little memory of the events that led to the charges against him.

He testified that Mr. Rodriguez, who has also been diagnosed with hepatitis, may be suffering from a condition known as hepatic encephalopathy, which he said could have serious effects on his mental abilities and capacities.

Both psychologists said they relied, in part, on the results of testing conducted last year by Dr. Lara Guzman-Hosta at Bridgewater State Hospital. Judge Kenton-Walker noted in her ruling that Dr. Guzman-Hosta found Mr. Rodriguez may have been feigning symptoms of mental health conditions and exaggerating his deficits for her.

Citing case law, Judge Kenton-Walker said Mr. Rodriguez's “significant intellectual deficits and serious health issues” did not preclude a competency finding and went on to find him competent.

The judge continued the case to Monday for the setting of a trial date.

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